Doctor Interviews

Endocrine

What Happens When Thyroid Cancer Travels to the Lungs? In this interview, Dr. Fabian Pitoia discusses the treatment for distant metastatic thyroid cancer. Topics discussed include: 10% of thyroid cancer patients will have distant metastatic disease The disease will travel to lungs, bones, or both Treatment with RAI is most effective for those under 40 years old Evaluation of metastatic thyroid cancer in the lungs is a CT scan In 2006, there was a change in the treatment of the disease

Managing thyroid cancer in children, sometimes more complex than adults In this episode Dr. Bauer shares the complexities of managing children with thyroid nodules, and differentiated thyroid cancer. This is a must listen interview for parents whose child has a thyroid nodule or thyroid cancer diagnosis.

There are a several important differences in how pediatric thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) present and respond to therapy. Kids are less frequently diagnosed with a thyroid nodule; however, the risk for malignancy is four- to fivefold higher compared with an adult thyroid nodule.

In this episode Dr. Bernet describes that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that usually progresses slowly and often leads to low thyroid hormone levels — a condition called hypothyroidism. The best therapy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is to normalize thyroid hormone levels with medication. A balanced diet and other healthy lifestyle choices may help when you have Hashimoto’s, but a specific diet alone is unlikely to reverse the changes caused by the disease.

This episode is a thorough presentation of Graves’ Disease from Kimberly Dorris, an educator and expert, and also a patient. In this episode, listeners will gain a thorough understanding of a disease that is often confused with other diagnosis.

Kimberly Dorris is the Executive Director and CEO of the Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Foundation, a small nonprofit organization based in Rancho Santa Fe, CA.

Ms. Dorris has a unique perspective on thyroid dysfunction, having lived with both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 2007 and took methimazole for seven years. A​pproximately 18 months after stopping the methimazole, she became hypothyroid and is currently taking replacement hormone. ​